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Alexandria Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Egypt)
Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean port city, founded by Alexander the Great and once the ancient world's greatest city, now home to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, and Roman catacombs. As Egypt's second city, it sees similar scam patterns to Cairo — taxi overcharging, unofficial guide approaches at archaeological sites, and restaurant overcharging — in a more compressed tourist zone along the Corniche waterfront and around the major sites.
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Last updated: April 4, 2026
Airport Taxi Overcharging
Taxis from Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport to central Alexandria (a 45 km journey) frequently quote inflated flat rates, sometimes three to four times the legitimate metered fare. Drivers target arriving tourists and often claim no meter applies to airport routes. The journey is long enough that overcharging can amount to a significant sum.
📍Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria
How to avoid: Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging.
This scam type is also documented in Casablanca and Chefchaouen.
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Alexandria · Egypt · North Africa
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Alexandria
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Airport Taxi Overcharging
Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria
Antique Dealer Fraud in Attarine Market
Attarine antique market district in central Alexandria, around Attarine Street and the surrounding covered market lanes
Bait-and-Switch Seafood Pricing
Seafood restaurants near the Eastern Harbor in Alexandria, Abu Qir Bay area restaurants, fish restaurants along the Corniche between Montazah and central Alexandria
Unofficial Guide Approaches at Major Sites
Qaitbay Citadel entrance on the Eastern Harbor, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Karmouz district, Pompey's Pillar site
Corniche Restaurant Overcharging
Corniche waterfront restaurants from Raml Station area to the Eastern Harbor, tourist-facing seafood establishments near Qaitbay Citadel
Horse Carriage Overpricing
Near Qaitbay Citadel on the Eastern Harbor peninsula, Corniche near Raml Station, tourist areas around the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
✅Quick Safety Tips for Alexandria
Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.
- ✓Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging.
- ✓Treat all antique claims with extreme skepticism. Under Egyptian law, genuine antiquities cannot legally be exported — any seller offering export documentation for ancient items is either fraudulent or drawing you into an illegal transaction. Purchase clearly labeled reproduction items only.
- ✓Ask for the price per kilogram and the approximate weight before the fish is cooked. Insist on seeing the fish weighed on a visible scale. If prices are not clearly posted or the staff is evasive about per-kilo rates, choose a different restaurant.
- ✓Hire guides only through the official ticket office at each site. Licensed guides carry a Tourism Authority card with a photo ID. Politely decline any unsolicited approach before the ticket booth and proceed to the official entrance.
- ✓Request the Arabic-language menu or an English menu with clearly printed prices before ordering. Confirm whether a service charge is included. Check each item on the bill before paying and query any item not ordered.
How it works
Taxis from Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport to central Alexandria (a 45 km journey) frequently quote inflated flat rates, sometimes three to four times the legitimate metered fare. Drivers target arriving tourists and often claim no meter applies to airport routes. The journey is long enough that overcharging can amount to a significant sum.
How it works
The Attarine antique market in central Alexandria is known for sellers misrepresenting reproduction items as genuine antiquities, sometimes presenting documentation that appears official. Egyptian law prohibits the export of genuine antiquities, meaning buyers either receive fakes at antique prices or risk legal consequences if items are genuine.
How it works
Some seafood restaurants near the Eastern Harbor and Abu Qir Bay area display fresh fish at the entrance to attract customers, then charge per kilogram at rates not disclosed until the bill arrives. The displayed fish is sometimes substituted with a lower-grade catch. Bills can arrive at double or triple the amount a diner reasonably expected.
How it works
Around Qaitbay Citadel, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, and the Pompey's Pillar site, unofficial individuals present themselves as licensed guides and offer tours. They lead visitors on extended tours and then demand disproportionate fees, or guide them through affiliated shops. Some claim to be museum staff or ticket checkers.
How it works
Restaurants along the Alexandria Corniche targeting tourists apply inflated pricing through tourist menus with higher prices than the Arabic-language menu, automatic service charges not disclosed, and bills that include dishes not ordered. Seafood restaurants near the Eastern Harbor are the most frequently cited.
How it works
Horse-drawn carriages (calèches) near Qaitbay Citadel and the Corniche offer city tours without agreeing on a price upfront. Drivers take tourists on extended routes then demand far more than any implied or reasonable fare. If passengers refuse, drivers can become confrontational in isolated areas.
How it works
In tourist-facing shops, taxi transactions, and market stalls across Alexandria, visitors are short-changed by vendors who take advantage of unfamiliarity with Egyptian pound denominations. The practice is common when paying with large notes, where change is counted quickly and incorrectly.
How it works
Pickpocketing is an established risk in Alexandria's crowded areas including the Corniche seafront on weekends, the Attarine market, and public tram routes. Thieves work in pairs — one distracts while the other lifts wallets or phones. The tram network and the busy fish market area near Anfushi are particularly noted.
Alexandria Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Alexandria?
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Which areas of Alexandria should tourists be most careful in?
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Filter scams in Alexandria by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the North Africa region. Before visiting Hurghada, Luxor, and Agadir, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Alexandria are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →